Discover the Railroad Owned by Game of Thrones’ George R.R. Martin in New Mexico

New Mexico has a rich history intertwined with both trains and television, gaining modern recognition as the setting for the popular series Breaking Bad. But there’s another famous figure in TV who has a deep connection to the state’s railroad legacy: George R.R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones.

Martin, known for his work in fantasy, is also the owner of one of New Mexico’s most iconic railroads: the Sky Railway in Santa Fe. Originally known as the Santa Fe Southern Railroad, the railway gained fame as a feature in Breaking Bad, notably in the dramatic train heist episode from Season 5.

After the show, the railway was on the brink of bankruptcy, but in 2017, Martin and business partner Bill Banowsky stepped in to save it. Rather than simply revamping the service, they transformed the railroad into something uniquely exciting, starting with bold new paint jobs for the trains. The vibrant white and purple colors feature eye-catching designs, including a dragon and a wolf — creatures symbolic of Martin’s Game of Thrones universe.

As Martin himself put it, “We need to be bold, wild, and exciting, with something different up our sleeve… No one else has a wolf or dragon. We do. I hope we come up with a howl and a roar worthy of them.”

Today, visitors to Santa Fe can still see the eye-popping trains in all their glory, and ride on scenic excursions aboard the Sky Railway. The railway continues to operate and offers a unique way to experience the beauty of New Mexico’s landscape. For more information, you can check out their website.

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